my first Bonney tool

[davethorik]

I picked this up at a local used tool store today.

edit: ok. here we go...it is a Bonney R701 3/4 drive ratchet. It also came with a ZR609 3/4 extension, I am guessing 9" (actually 8.75") and 21 3/4 drive sockets, from 7/8 up to 2-1/4 by 16ths.

There are some Bonney sockets but it is a mix-match. All are USA made except the 1-1/2 is marked Japan. There are Proto, Wright, Snap-On, Thorsen, New Britain, and maybe some others I am forgetting.

all for $125. how did I do?

 

[SCscoutguy]

I don't see anything?

 

[davethorik]

I don't see anything?

yes sorry accidentally posted thread w/o info. I fixed it.

 

[scaron]

yeah, no pic for me either? watch out with that bonney stuff, you might find yourself hooked! i started out with just a few wrenches and now i've got probably darn near 20, plus three ratchets, miscellaneous sockets and other accoutrements and i'm always looking for more. i like their tools a lot. well built, nice looking but not too flashy; all business. and not too expensive on the used market. i always look out for them now.

edit: you did real good. excellent lot of stuff for $125. a high quality, domestic 3/4" drive kit new like what you've got there would run in excess of $1000. now you just need a bulldozer, farm tractor or semi truck to disassemble, LOL.

 

[Mickey O]

I think you can get the same 3/4" set at Harbor Freight for a lot less.







You did very well on a set of high quality USA made tools that will most likely out live you.

 

[davethorik]

I think you can get the same 3/4" set at Harbor Freight for a lot less.

You did very well on a set of high quality USA made tools that will most likely out live you.

Thanks mickey you almost got me with that HF comment. Lol.
I am really not sure. I never see 3/4 stuff for sale around me. Brand new prices for usa made...wow. But there is no used market.

I need to get a case for these, they are classier than the plastic tub. Lol

 

[nine4gmc]

I think you can get the same 3/4" set at Harbor Freight for a lot less.







You did very well on a set of high quality USA made tools that will most likely out live you.

He may have been headed to HF when he saw those for sale along the way, I hear that happens to some of our members often

Good Score Dave!

 

[davethorik]

He may have been headed to HF when he saw those for sale along the way, I hear that happens to some of our members often

Good Score Dave!

at the moment i have no use for a 3/4 ratchet but i plan on using it. thanks 94!

I forgot to mention, the 3 largest sockets (2-1/4, 2-3/16, 2-1/8) are Craftsman -V- usa and they are brand new, never used. I admit I don't know as much about craftsman as I should. Time to research.

 

[warmpancakes]

your tool store has Mt dew? Id be screwed

 

[zkling]

Awesome. Go big or go home, sounds about right on this one.

 

[bonneyman]

The Bonneyman has never seen a Bonney ratchet like that! I say

The gear assembly looks so much like an S-K round head it's scary.

 

[davethorik]

The Bonneyman has never seen a Bonney ratchet like that! I say

The gear assembly looks so much like an S-K round head it's scary.

wow! lol. has that happened before?

it is very reminiscent of an S-K except much beefier.

I don't know much about Bonney, other than they used to be made right down the road from where I work in Alliance, Ohio.

 

[davethorik]

Based on what I have found, I think my ratchet was in the Bon-E-Con line. It doesn't have any markings other than pictured. The extension has a B inside a hexagon and the 2" socket is a Bon-E-Con #ZR64. The 7/8 thru 1-1/8 are all marked Bonney, USA, and the size but no part numbers. All of these tools are etched with CM intials.

There are 3 Proto sockets, 2 are Proto L.A. There are a handful of Wright and onesies of New Britain, Penncraft usa, Thorsen usa, Snap-On, and a KAL made in Japan.

 

[bonneyman]

wow! lol. has that happened before?

it is very reminiscent of an S-K except much beefier.

I don't know much about Bonney, other than they used to be made right down the road from where I work in Alliance, Ohio.

You'd be surprised. Of late there's been alot of Bonney tools coming up for sale or posted that I've never seen before. Guess alot of old sources are liquidating their stashes?

Rather than bore everybody with the same old Bonney story, PM me and I'll tell you what I know. I don't know very much about the older stuff - say pre-1960. But I will assist you in any way I can.

Bon-E-Con was their "budget" line. Sort of like "Sears" tools compared to "Craftsman".
Back in the day (like the old Sears tools), they were USA made, and very good for the money. Later on (again, like old Sears brand tools) they were outsourced. I'm guessing this transition for Bonney was late 70 ish.

 

[chopper1]

My first thought at seeing that ratchet was S-K

 

[crewchief888]

He may have been headed to HF when he saw those for sale along the way, I hear that happens to some of our members often

too funny

 

[sparky5982]

Man, that's a ripoff! I'll give you $100 for the set.

Seriously, nice score! Bonney is increasingly hard to come by.

 

[basspro]

Badass! Quality stuff for sure!

 

[ADSR]

Badass! Quality stuff for sure!

No kidding! Good **** right there!

 

[bonneyman]

My first thought at seeing that ratchet was S-K

Yeah, the selector knob on the back and snap ring on the front look just like the S-K's

 

[davethorik]

I haven't taken it apart yet but it feels really solid. There has to be resistance applied to the drive when you switch directions or it will freewheel.

I scored a couple more goodies on ebay for this set. a 4" extension and a 31/32 socket, both for cheap.

also, my old man apparently has a bunch of extra 3/4 stuff and he is hooking it up. he is giving me a wright 16" extension and a wright 3/4 breaker bar, and some wright sockets in sizes I don't have...3/4, 13/16, and 1-1/2.

edit: I need suggestions on something to store this all in. I don't have a big toolbox at home, and right now everything is in that plastic tub. Maybe an old cantilever kennedy box? Or find a metal box from some other brand of 3/4 ratchet set.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

That ratchet is bad ***! Is the Bonney logo raised on flush on it? If it's raised it's early 50's, flush mid to late 50's. The extension is a Bon-E-Con from the sounds of it. Awesome find and welcome to Bonney Addicts Anonymous!

 

[davethorik]

That ratchet is bad ***! Is the Bonney logo raised on flush on it? If it's raised it's early 50's, flush mid to late 50's. The extension is a Bon-E-Con from the sounds of it. Awesome find and welcome to Bonney Addicts Anonymous!

It is flush on the head, same with part number. there is a set screw on the side to remove the head from the handle, I have seen a snap-on 3/4 ratchet like this. I will have to throw it on a scale, it is easily in the 20ish lb. neighborhood.

edit: thank you!